It all started years ago for some and the day of becoming a Firefighter came true Friday at The Burbank Training Center where 9 men took the oath to become Burbank Firefighters. Class 2013 started with 11, and after a grueling 14 week academy, nine had finished.
Burbank Mayor Dave Golonski gave the recruits words of wisdom, as one of his final duties of being Mayor, then City Manager Ken Pulskamp, told the nine new firefighters that when he started his career as a municipal employee, there were no fax machines and teleconferencing, he reminded them that being a city employee that they will be watched all the time. He congratulated the class as they have and will make great sacrifices.
The class was instructed by Fire Captain Tray White with the assistance of Engineer Jeff Carlon, who is currently Burbank’s assistant Training Engineer and Firefighter of The Year. They were assisted by Fire Fighter Ryan Weber who also is a former Firefighter of The Year.
The class was accepted by Fire Chief Tom Lenahan, who was the Keynote speaker. He was proud of the accomplishments of the nine members, and gave them five keys to follow in their career to be successful in as Burbank Firefighters.
The class of nine consisted of: Michael Cary, Christopher Donan, Richard Dunn, Alex Jauregui, Hai Nguyen, Stephen Nielesky, Wesley Peebles, Jeffrey Ponton and Joel Ray.
The class was given their oath of office, issued their shiny new Centennial Badges, and given a Burbank Firefighter Belt Buckle by Fire Fighter Local Union President Mike McDonald. Plenty of pictures were snapped, and refreshments served then the nine new firefighters donned their protective equipment and went outside to give several demonstrations of what they had learned the past 14 weeks, besides how to survive being a Firefighter.
The Class of 2013
Meet the new Burbank Firefighters
Here is an outstanding video created by Eric Rowley of their training
Burbank Fire Academy 2013 from Eric Rowley on Vimeo.
